President of Boeing International to Asharq Al-Awsat: We are Keen to Support Saudi Arabia’s Efforts to Explore Space

A Boeing 787 of the Riyadh Airlines is displayed at the Paris Air Show (AP)
A Boeing 787 of the Riyadh Airlines is displayed at the Paris Air Show (AP)
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President of Boeing International to Asharq Al-Awsat: We are Keen to Support Saudi Arabia’s Efforts to Explore Space

A Boeing 787 of the Riyadh Airlines is displayed at the Paris Air Show (AP)
A Boeing 787 of the Riyadh Airlines is displayed at the Paris Air Show (AP)

Dr. Brendan Nelson, President of Boeing International (BI), stressed that the American company was keen to support Saudi Arabia in developing its plans for space exploration.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Nelson said he was pleased to see two Saudi citizens visit the International Space Station (ISS), including the first Arab female astronaut, noting that Boeing has been part of every major American space endeavor and was keen to support the Kingdom in this field.

The head of BI, which manages the company’s international strategy and operations outside the United States, and oversees 18 regional offices in major global markets, stressed that Saudi Arabia was witnessing a very exciting stage in the aviation and space sector, pointing to the Kingdom’s strategy to develop aviation and tourism as enablers of broad economic growth.

Asked about his recent visit to Riyadh, Nelson said that he met with officials in key government bodies, such as the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Investment.

“I would like to reaffirm our commitment to developing the aviation system in Saudi Arabia in support of the goals of Vision 2030,” he said, adding: “We have a long-term relationship with the Kingdom and we look forward to continuing to drive innovation and sustainable growth in the Saudi aviation sector.”

Commenting on the recent order by Saudi airlines, Nelson said his company was honored that Saudia and Riyadh Airlines have finally committed to purchasing up to 121 new 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

“These important deals will play a major role in developing Saudi Arabia’s air transport network, and support the Kingdom’s broader strategic plan to transform the country into a global aviation hub. It also represents a significant investment by the Kingdom in supporting its broader vision to serve 330 million passengers and attract 100 million visitors annually by 2030,” Nelson told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The president of BI stressed that Boeing was already a major contributor to the Saudi aviation industry through its joint venture with Saudi Military Industries, SAMI, which supports military helicopters.

“We are also exploring opportunities to expand our global supplier base so that we can develop and increase talents and expertise all over the world, and this extends to the Saudi aviation system,” he stated.

According to Nelson, one of the greatest challenges of the era was addressing the global issue of climate change, emphasizing commitment to decarbonize the aviation industry and eliminate carbon emissions by 2050.

The president of Boeing International pointed to many factors that stimulate growth in the aerospace and defense sector in the Middle East. He explained that in commercial aviation, the region has emerged as a popular connection point for international travelers, and continues to grow as a destination for tourism and leisure.

“We expect passenger traffic in the Middle East to increase by 6 percent annually over the next two decades. To support this growth, companies operating in the Middle East are expected to receive orders for more than 3,000 new commercial aircraft, which will help the region’s fleet grow almost two and a half times by 2042,” Nelson remarked.

He continued: “Saudi Arabia will play an important role in this growth as part of its Vision 2030.”
On the development of electric aircraft, Nelson said that the company’s work in the field of electric aviation included forming partnerships to develop, test and certify all electric vehicles and safely deploy them.

“Through our wholly-owned subsidiary (Wisk Aero), we have flown more than 1,600 test flights of the battery-powered electric taxi,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Regarding China’s influence in the aviation industry and Boeing’s share in the global market, he said: “We have been a strong partner with the commercial aviation sector in China for more than 50 years. They remain friends, customers and competitors, and we look forward to continuing the challenge for decades to come.”



Nigeria Nears Military Agreements with Saudi Arabia to Boost Security, Combat Terrorism

Nigerian Minister of State and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister in Riyadh (SPA)
Nigerian Minister of State and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister in Riyadh (SPA)
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Nigeria Nears Military Agreements with Saudi Arabia to Boost Security, Combat Terrorism

Nigerian Minister of State and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister in Riyadh (SPA)
Nigerian Minister of State and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister in Riyadh (SPA)

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, told Asharq Al-Awsat that his country is close to signing military agreements with Saudi Arabia. These deals will include joint training, capacity-building programs, counterterrorism training, and intelligence sharing.

He said Nigeria is working to strengthen its strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia. “My visit focused on boosting military cooperation and ties with the Saudi Armed Forces,” he added after meeting Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman.

Matawalle said his country believes in Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting regional stability and global security. He noted that his visit aimed to explore new opportunities, share ideas, and strengthen cooperation to address common security threats.

Matawalle said the talks focused on boosting security ties, including counterterrorism training and intelligence sharing.

“We aim to solidify Nigeria’s partnership with Saudi Arabia and finalize agreements on joint training programs and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen our armed forces,” he said.

He also visited the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) headquarters in Riyadh, where he met Secretary-General Maj. Gen. Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi to discuss enhancing cooperation in security and counterterrorism with Saudi Arabia and other member states.

Counterterrorism Efforts

Nigeria has made strong progress in fighting terrorism, thanks to multi-faceted strategies, according to Matawalle. He pointed to the success of Operation FANSAN YAMMA, which has significantly reduced banditry in the northwest.

In the northeast, groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP have been largely defeated through Operation HADIN KAI, he said, crediting military action and international partnerships, including with Saudi Arabia, for improved intelligence and training.

Matawalle also praised a recent counterterrorism conference in Nigeria, calling it a vital step.

“It highlighted the importance of working together to tackle terrorism and strengthen regional security,” he said.

Matawalle said that the recent counterterrorism conference helped countries share strategies, intelligence, and best practices. He stressed the need for a united front against terrorist networks and highlighted the event’s role in boosting collaboration between African nations and global partners.

Matawalle added that the conference reinforced Nigeria’s leadership in regional security and the importance of partnerships like the one with the IMCTC.

Nigeria Calls for Stronger Arab-African Role in Regional Crises

Matawalle urged Arab-African nations to work together to stop the wars in Palestine and Lebanon. He called for collective action to push for a ceasefire and provide humanitarian aid to those affected.

He emphasized the need for Arab-African countries to use their influence in organizations like the UN and African Union to seek a fair resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

On Sudan’s crisis, Matawalle reaffirmed Nigeria’s support for peaceful solutions through inclusive dialogue. He stressed that clear mandates, logistical support, and collaboration with local stakeholders are essential for success.

“Nigeria is ready to work with regional and international partners to ensure peace initiatives succeed,” he said, highlighting Nigeria’s leadership roles in ECOWAS and the African Union. He also backed deploying mediators to secure ceasefires and deliver humanitarian aid.

Matawalle said deploying African forces in Sudan could succeed if efforts are well-coordinated, properly funded, and internationally supported.

He expressed optimism, pointing to growing agreement among African nations on the importance of African-led solutions. With backing from the African Union and global partners, he believes such initiatives could protect civilians and promote lasting stability.